Putin Rejects Trump’s Ultimatum, Reaffirms Russia’s Demands in Ukraine War

As President Donald Trump’s ultimatum on the Ukraine conflict nears its expiration, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a firm response, indicating that Moscow’s stance remains unchanged.

In a symbolic gesture, Putin prayed alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko before delivering his message to the West.

Key Points from Putin’s Response:

• No Shift in Negotiation Terms: The Kremlin reiterated its conditions for peace: Ukraine must fully cede the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, as well as Crimea, to Russia. Ukraine must also recognize the legitimacy of this occupation and commit to remaining outside of NATO.

• “Patience” for Talks: Putin stated that Russia is prepared to wait if “Kyiv is not ready to negotiate”, implying that the conflict will continue until Ukraine accepts these terms.

• Criticism of Trump’s Approach: Lukashenko dismissed Trump’s approach to resolving the conflict through fixed deadlines, calling it unrealistic and naive given the scale of the war and Russia’s nuclear capabilities. “You can’t just call the shots,” he said. “This is a military conflict with a nuclear power — it’s laughable.”

• Claim About “Oreshnik” System: Putin announced that Russia has begun serial production of a new military system called “Oreshnik,” reportedly already in use and expected to be delivered to Belarus by the end of the year. However, the BBC noted there is currently no independent verification of this claim.

• Mocking Ukraine’s Legitimacy: In a dig at Ukraine’s political system, Russia claimed its own regime is grounded in constitutional legality — a statement widely seen as ironic, given the state of democracy in Russia.

This latest announcement underscores Russia’s determination to continue the war on its own terms, dismissing both Trump’s intervention and any potential Western pressure. The Kremlin’s message is clear: there will be no compromise unless Ukraine concedes to Russia’s core demands.